With third-placed FC Bayern München hosting FC Schalke 04, in fourth, on Sunday, Robin Dutt's men seized the chance to move within seven points of the latter thanks to Bender's 15th and 50th-minute strikes in the Rhineland derby.

The victory avenged the 4-1 home defeat Köln inflicted on Leverkusen earlier in the season and means the BayArena club have won back-to-back Bundesliga games for the first time since August. SV Werder Bremen could have reclaimed fifth spot from Leverkusen but lost 1-0 to 1. FC Nürnberg in the late fixture.

On Friday, VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach missed the chance to move top of the table after being held to a 1-1 home draw by Hamburger SV. They remain second, two points behind champions Borussia Dortmund, who host Hannover 96 in Sunday's other fixture.

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